Now they are older it is so funny to watch how  excited they get when they see their bottles full of formula.  They eat solids now and are enjoying lots of homemade baby food as well as my huge stock of natural baby food jars I bought last fall at Big Lot’s 20% off sale.   I had bought 100+ jars of baby food for about $20.

One question that is always on my mind right now is  How to find great deals on baby formula?

The best way to calculate this is compare best price per fluid ounce.    Not ounce of the package.

Which formula do you want to purchase?

Generic Brands

I’m a huge fan of generic formulas most large stores carry generic baby formula made by PDM Nutritional.   I’ve found that my babies really like it.     They cost about $.08 or less a fluid ounce! If you have questions or concerns about generic baby formula click HERE for more information from the FDA.  I did my research on it and it is comparable to the national brands.

National Brands

If you are interested in named brand formulas like Similac or Infamil.  Then you need to look at several options to save the most such as sales, using coupons, savings checks or buying in bulk.

Where to buy?

Generic Brands

If you are interested in generics formulas it doesn’t matter if you use Babies R Us, Walmart’s Parent’s Choice, Target Up & Up brand , Sam’s Club Simply Right or other store brands it is the same formula from PDM Nutritional.     I suggest buying from which ever store has the best price per fluid ounce.

Babies R Us has a great promotion via the Babies R Us rewards program that allows you to purchase 9 and get the 10th for free!

Target on occasion has sales that puts the formula on sale and gives you a $5 gift card when you buy 2.

CVS also on occasion has sales for their formula including promotions that include Extra Care Bucks (ECB)s.

National Brands

Make sure you sign up for each of the national brand programs.  That might mean signing up online, via mail or phone.  After I had my twins I learned that I could write to each of the formula companies and get some freebies.  I could get a case of formula free from Infamil via their multiples new beginning program.  I wrote to them and they called me and sent me a case per child.  It was a life saver for us.   Plus, I got coupons that I used at several stores.    When I wrote to Similac they sent me coupons that I could use in any store.  From Gerber I got some great coupons and some matching newborn onesies.

You can purchase national brands from any store.   I’ve found that for the convenience factor for most Moms is to buy from a club warehouse is a cost effective way verse running into the grocery.  However, if you look closely for sales you can find some great sales at Target, CVS, and Rite Aid.  Make sure to keep your eye out for additional manufacture coupons you can use during a sale or use a manufacture coupon check.

A coupon check comes from the manufacture usually with the person’s name written on it good for a maximum amount and only for a specific product or any product depending on the writing.   Most of these checks say for “any” formula and that includes powder, ready to feed and concentrate.   As long as the check information reads properly the check can be applied to any of these.  I’ve scored almost free ready to feed formulas from these checks.  And I have to admit the ready to feed formulas are a nice to have especially with twins! Hand these checks to the cashier at the end of the transaction. Only 1 coupon per purchase (or item).

Free Samples!

Click HERE for a Sam’s Club free sample of their Simply Right brand.

Click HERE for a Walmart free sample of Parent’s Choice.

Cost Spreadsheet

Here is my formula cost spreadsheet that I created this year on formulas that I have purchased.  I’ve even includes some of the deals including coupons I used.

Click HERE to view the google spreadsheet.

Let me know of some formula deals that you have scored or if you have some formula calculations you want me to add to the spreadsheet.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

Here are some awesome blog posts that I came across and thought you should read.  Feel free to pass on to others.

• Babygoodbuys.com  – Reuse disposable swim diapers – This makes perfect sense.  Since disposable swim diapers cost about $.50 it makes sense to get as much out of them as you can.
• Minnesotamamamusthaves.com – Make your own Triple Paste - I’m a huge fan of Triple Paste.  I recently used my $1.00 internet coupons at Walmart to get 1 oz for $6.49 but that is still so expensive.  I have bought several HUGE containers of CVS brand desitins and my daughter accidentally dropped it so I need to use the container up.  What a perfect way to use it but to make it into Triple Paste.  So far I’ve used it on my sons and it works amazing!  The cost is pennies since the HUGE 16 oz container of CVS brand desitin cost me $3 before ECBs!
• Life with A&W – Registry Recommendation for Twins – This is a great list of ideas of what to register for or to look out for at yard sales when you have twins.
• Life with A&W – Freebies for Multiples – On my very long to do list I plan on writing to companies about my multiples.  Here is a list of companies to write to to get freebies.

More sites to come.  Let me know of other links of interesting frugal things for babies or toddlers that I can share.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

Since this coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend it is the start of sunscreen or sun block season.  I just purchased some last week at $6 and $7 and thought that is a good deal but now I’m finding this week it is even better.   I did some research and found some great deals and thanks to Hip2Save! who posted some scenarios.

Banana Boat Kids Tear Free SPF 30 is recommended on Beautypedia. Check it out! I love going to this site for skin care recommendations.

Big Lots

Banana Boat assorted sun blocks Final Cost = $4

CVS

Buy 2 Coppertone Sun Care (excludes sticks, baby, and tanning) = $8 Ecb (limit 1)
Buy 2 Coppertone UVA/UVB Guard Face Lotion SPF 50 $9.49 (based on online price) = $18.98
Use 2 $1/1 coupons found here or here or 5/22 RP
Pay $16.98
Get back $8 Ecb
Final cost $4.49 each!

Spend $25 on Participating Playtex, Edge, Skintimate, Schick, Energizer, Hawaiian Tropic or Banana Boat = $10 Ecb (limit 1)
Deal Scenario:

Buy 4 Banana Boat Suncare items $6.99 = $27.96
Use 4 $1/1 coupons found in the May or June issues of All You mag. or here (this one is a CVS store coupon but states “Cannot be combined with any other coupon) or 5/22 RP.
Pay $23.96
Get back $10 Ecb
Final cost $3.49 each!
*There’s also a $1/1 Hawaiian Tropic regional coupon found in the 5/22 SS or here or in the May issue of All You mag.

Thanks to Hip2Save!

Rite Aid

Buy $25 worth of Playtex Gentle Glide or Sport Tampons 18 ct., Personal Cleansing Cloths 40 ct., Playtex Baby Care products, Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic Suncare, Wet Ones Wipes, Schick Quattro 3 ct., Xtreme 3 4 ct., Slim Twin Disposable Razors 10 or 12 ct., Intuition, Quattro for Men or Women System Razor or Cartridge Refills 3 or 4 ct., Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel or Cream, Schick Hydro Razor or Cartridge Refills 4 ct. and Get a $10 +Up Reward

Buy 2 Banana Boat Suncare Lotion $7.99 each
Buy 1 Hawaiian Tropic Suncare Lotion $7.99
Buy 1 Banana Boat Lip Balm $2.99
Total = $26.96
Use 2 $1/1 Banana Boat coupons from the All You Magazine May or June issue or 5/22 RP.
Use the $1/1 Hawaiian Tropic coupon from the All You Magazine May issue or found here
Pay $23.96
Get a $10 +Up Reward
Final Cost $13.96 for all 4 sun care items! Or $3.49 each!

Coppertone Suncare Products Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off
Buy 2 Coppertone Sport Sunscreen 4 fl oz $7.49 each
Total After B1G1 50% Off Sale = $11.24
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 5/22 RP or found here
Use the $1/1 coupon from the May Video Values
Final Cost $4.12 each!

Thanks to Hip2Save!

Walmart

Banana Boat Sunscreen RollBack $5.82
Use 1 $1/1 Banana Boat coupon found in the May or June issue of All You mag. or 5/22 RP.
Final Cost $4.82!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF45 spray or Aveeno Continuous Protection Face SPF 30 Lotion $7
Use $1/1 coupons from the 5/8 SS
Final Cost $6!

Neutrogena Wet Skin SPF 85 Sunblock Spray $10.97
Use $1/1 coupons from the 5/8 SS
Final Cost $9.97!

Coppertone Continuous Spray $9.88
Use 2 $1/1 coupons found here or here or 5/22 RP
Final Cost $18.76 or $9.38 each !

Walgreens

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

$3 off 1 Multi-pack AVENT BPA-Free Baby Bottles

$2.50 off AVENT BPA-Free Toddler Cup Twin Pack

$1.50 off AVENT BPA-Free Toddler Cup

I found that at Walmart they have the 3 pack of 9 oz bottles for now $14.97.

That makes it $11.97 for 3 bottles or $3.99 each after coupon!  That is the cheapest I’ve ever found them.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

Amazon Subscribe and Save currently has Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, DHA & ARA, 25.75 Ounce Canisteron sale for $23.49!  But to make the deal better purchase  4 canisters of Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, DHA & ARA, 25.75 Ounce Canisterfor $84.15 with Subscribe and Save.    Then save 5% when you enter code EBMARCH4 at checkout.   That makes it $0.10 a fluid ounce!  What a great deal especially for organic formula.

Remember if you are part of Amazon Mom every baby purchase that is over $25 gets you additional Amazon Prime monthly benefits.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

Several of my friends are having babies and of course I’m having twins very soon so this is a great time to talk about Baby Charts.   At the hospital, they ask you to track how many pees, poops and feedings occur and when.  I did some research and these are some Baby tracking charts I thought would work great for most Moms and Dads.

Are you looking for a good tracking baby feeding chart?  Well, you have come to the right place. Here are some links to some of the best that I’ve found:

Free Printable Medical Forms - This website has a great .pdf version of a feeding schedule.   It does include the times.  All you have to do is check it off.   This seems to be my favorite so far.

Gerber – Feeding Chart – This chart is very simple .pdf that doesn’t have times.  You enter the times in yourself.

Twins DoubleUpBooks.com and About.com – Feeding Chart – This chart is great for twins since it has a twin on each side.  This is a pdf file and doesn’t have times.  You enter in the times yourself.

Little Ones Feeding Schedule – Feeding Chart – This chart is a super simple .pdf that doesn’t have times.

Is there another chart that you have used or heard of that works really well?

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

In the Giant ad last week and again this week Avent bottles are $2 off retail price. I was curious as to what that meant and happened to look at them in the store. I never knew Giant was selling them, and I assumed they would be priced high.

It turns out that a single bottle is normally priced at $6.99 and so the sale of $2 off with your bonus card makes a single bottle $4.99. They also have 2 packs available too and they are normally priced $12.99 so that makes it $10.99 for 2 bottles or $5.50 a bottle. Even that is still a good deal. I picked up the singles and a couple double packs and even went to another store and picked up a couple more.

This is for either the 4oz or the 9oz bottles BPA-free Avent bottles with the blue writing on the box. I understand the blue writing means they have the “new” ring that helps prevent over tighting which causes leaking.

I’m so excited since my husband and I have decided to stick to BPA free and we really like these bottles and hope they work for the twins. Only a couple more months before we see them.

Let me know if you find them for a different price!

To find other great deals at Giant go to Redemption Unlimited to find some other deals in the Northern Virginia/DC area.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

If you haven’t signed up for  Amazon Mom I strongly suggest you do.

Click HERE to sign up!

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

I took advantage of the Amazon deals these last two months.  Check out the post here.

I’ve saved $495.40 so far this year.  I’ve spent $356.35 this year.

Click HERE to see my chart in Google Documents.

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader

Several of my friends are having babies in the next couple of months and I thought it is time to show them how to get stuff for FREE!

Great website for deals on baby stuff:
Babycheapskate
Free samples from Walmart

I am a big believer in breast feeding and I did buy my fair share of formula and there isn’t anything wrong with using it.  My daughter LOVED it.  Before baby comes it is a great idea to have formula available.  If you don’t need it you can always give it away or donate it to a mother shelter:
ParentsChoiceFormula Free Sample
Enfamil Free Sample and Free coupons
Similac Free Sample and Free coupons
I strongly recommend Member’s Mark because it is a great deal! Last I checked it was $20 for a very large can.  A small can of Enfamil is about $25.
MembersMark Formula Free Sample

 Subscribe to RedBerrydeals.com in a reader